Production of palladium powder by reduction of palladium diamino-chloride by sodium oxalate : G.N. Shrivin et al, (Krasnoyarsk Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals, USSR), Izvestia V U Z Tvest, Metall, No 4, 1990, 51–54. In Russian

Abstract

Section 2.1.1 covers the basic thermodynamic and kinetic principles involved in producing copper by high-temperature smelting processes. The section starts with the description of the stability of copper compounds relevant to the pyrometallurgical production of copper from the minerals and how it relates to the development and operation of different production methods. Next, the thermodynamic principles involved in the mattemaking and converting steps of copper smelting, including the behavior of minor elements and their distribution into various phases during these steps. Finally, the rate processes relevant to various subprocesses of copper smelting, such as the oxidation of concentrate and intermediate compounds as well as the volatilization of minor elements during the converting step, are discussed.Section 2.1.2 covers the current technologies used for pyrometallurgical production of copper. The section starts with the description of the mattemaking processes, grouped into suspension smelting and bath smelting, followed by converting processes which are similarly classified into two groups. The Mitsubishi continuous copper smelting process that combines the matte smelting and converting steps into one continuous coupled operation is then discussed. Finally, some observation on the industry trends for copper production is presented.The use and degradation of refractory linings in copper furnaces are discussed in Section 2.1.3. Magnesia-chrome bricks are widely used to line copper furnaces, despite the potential risk for the formation of hexavalent Cr under specific conditions, typically in the presence of alkali or alkaline earth oxides. Which combination of chemical, thermal, and mechanical degradation mechanisms is dominant depends on many factors such as the furnace type, the lining design, including the selection of the refractory type, and the process conditions. This overview concludes with refractory selection and use on the industrial level, including the waste and recycling management of spent refractories.